Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic apparatus includes: a cover having an optically-transparent base and a shielding film for making an inside invisible; and a substrate disposed inside and covered by the cover, the substrate being mounted with a light emitting element for emitting light toward the cover and a touch sensor disposed at a position surrounding the light emitting element to detect a touch of an outer surface of the cover by a finger. The electronic apparatus further includes an icon board disposed at a position between the substrate and the cover and having a light transmitting section formed to define an outline of light emitted by the light emitting element toward the cover. The shielding film shows light emitted by the light emitting element and passing through the icon board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of theprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-102726, filed on Apr. 10,2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiment is directed to an electronic apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In many of electronic apparatus, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) andvarious shapes of symbols respectively associated with the LEDs areoften arranged side by side on the outer surface of a cover of thehousing accommodating the electronic apparatus. This arrangement isprovided to inform a user that the electronic apparatus is in the staterepresented by a symbol, by way of turning on or blinking the LEDassociated with the symbol. Similarly, when push buttons are employed,symbols are provided on or next to the respective push buttons so that auser can understand what kind of operation would start upon a press of abutton by merely looking at the symbol associated with the button.

However, arranging multiple symbols and LEDs on the outer surface of acover of the housing accommodating an electronic apparatus has such aproblem that the electronic apparatus appears untidy, impairing thedesign of the apparatus.

Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-33334discloses a technique for solving the above-described problem. Thispublication discloses an illumination switch having a cover. On theouter surface of the cover, a flexible film is disposed. A mark isformed on the inner surface of the flexible film, and a smoke materiallayer is disposed on the mark. In this structure, the inside of theswitch is invisible. The illumination switch contains a light sourcedisposed under the mark. When light is emitted from the light source,the mark appears on the surface of the smoke material layer as it isilluminated.

According to this illumination switch, since the mark appears on theoutside only when the light is emitted from the light source,flexibility in design can be achieved, thereby improving the design ofthe entire device.

In the illumination switch according to the above-mentioned PublicationNo. 6-33334, a pushbutton switch is disposed inside the cover.Therefore, when the part where the mark appears on the smoke materiallayer of the flexible film is pressed, the operation according to themark begins.

In the case of the Publication No. 6-22224 however, since it isdifficult to arrange the push button switch at a position correspondingto the light source disposed on the inner side of the flexible film, thepush button switch is arranged adjacent to the light source.Accordingly, the Publication No. 6-33334 requires a member that allows apressing force by a finger to be transmitted to the pushbutton switchdisposed next to the part of the flexible film where the mark appears(i.e. adjacent to the light source), when that part is pressed by thefinger. Further, the flexible film per se requires a complicatedstructure because it is formed by disposing the smoke material layer andforming the mark on a transparent sheet-like base. For this reason, theillumination switch requires a large capacity inside the cover,increasing the cost. Furthermore, the illumination switch is very likelyto have a problem in durability because the flexible sheet is deformedevery time a pressing force by a finger is transmitted to the pushbutton switch.

SUMMARY

An electronic apparatus includes:

a cover having an optically-transparent base and a shielding film formaking an inside invisible;

a substrate disposed inside and covered by the cover, the substratebeing mounted with a light emitting element for emitting light towardthe cover and a touch sensor disposed at a position surrounding thelight emitting element to detect a touch of an outer surface of thecover by a finger; and

an icon board disposed at a position between the substrate and the coverand having a light transmitting section formed to define an outline oflight emitted by the light emitting element toward the cover,

wherein the shielding film shows light emitted by the light emittingelement and passing through the icon board.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobject and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a personal computer (PC);

FIG. 2 is another external perspective view of the PC illustrated inFIG. 1 as viewed from back;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a swivel;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the swivel;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the swivel taken along a line X-X inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top surface of a circular fixedbase;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of the fixed base illustrated inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the fixed base and a stand platedisposed on the fixed base as viewed from bottom;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a part of the bottom view illustrated inFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the fixed baseand the stand plate as viewed from bottom;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a part of the stand plate, which is inthe state of being turned up to an end opposite to the end shown in FIG.8 and FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mounting metallic component providedon the back surface of a PC main unit;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mounting metallic component removedfrom the back surface of the PC main unit, as viewed from the PC mainunit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a monitor mounting member fixed to a pole, asviewed from the PC main unit;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the monitor mounting member as viewedfrom the direction of a metal plate;

FIG. 16 is a diagram similar to FIG. 15 and illustrates the state inwhich a hook is engaged in the middle hook locking hole;

FIG. 17 is a diagram similar to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 and illustrates thestate in which the hook is engaged in the lowermost hook locking hole;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the inside of a lower rightcorner of the front surface (where a display screen is disposed) of thePC main unit;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the structure of a substrate included in theexploded perspective view illustrated in FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a part taken along an arrow Y-Yillustrated in FIG. 18.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

Embodiment will be described below.

[Entire Structure]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a personal computer(hereinafter referred as “PC”) 10, and FIG. 2 is another externalperspective view of the PC 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from back.

The PC 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 has a PC main unit 20 havinga display screen 21 on the front. Displayed on the lower part of thefront surface of the PC 10 is an icon 22 formed by silk printing. Theicon 22 represents a power button. The PC main unit 20 can be turned onwhen a finger is placed on the icon 22.

The PC 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 has an operating circuitcomposed of a CPU and the like. The operating circuit is disposed in ahousing of the PC main unit 20 holding the display screen 21.Specifically, the operating circuit is disposed at a position closer tothe rear surface of the PC main unit 20, opposite to the front surfacewhere the display screen 21 is disposed. Therefore, the PC 10 hasgeneral functions that allow the PC 10 to serve as a personal computerwhen a keyboard is additionally provided. Since there is no strongrelationship between the keyboard and the embodiment, drawing anddescription of the keyboard are omitted.

The PC 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 also has a swivel 30 and asupporter 40 that supports the back surface of the PC main unit 20. Theswivel 30 changes the orientation of the display screen 21 of the PCmain unit 20. The supporter 40 supports the PC main unit 20 so that thePC main unit 20 is kept at a height desired by a user. As illustrated inFIG. 2, a cover 41 made of resin is provided to hide the internalsupport structure of the supporter 40.

[Swivel]

FIG. 3 is a side view of the swivel 30, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view ofthe swivel 30. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the swivel 30 takenalong a line X-X in FIG. 4.

The swivel 30 has a circular fixed base 310 provided with rubber feet311 projecting from the bottom surface of the fixed base 310. The swivel30 also has a movable stage 320 disposed in contact with the top surfaceof the fixed base 310 and capable of pivoting relative to the fixed base310.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rubber feet 311 are disposed at positions(six in this example) spaced uniformly in a circumferential direction.The rubber feet 311 are provided for the purpose of enabling thecircular swivel 30 to stay firmly without sliding, when the swivel 30 isput on, for example, a desk.

FIG. 4 further illustrates two large screws 321 provided to fix a pole410 to the swivel 30 by engaging in screw holes (not shown) formed onthe bottom surface of the pole 410. The pole 410 is a part of thesupporter 40 (refer to FIG. 2).

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the circular fixed base 310 has a grease pool312 that is a hollow formed on the top surface of the fixed base 310 tohold grease. In order to prevent the grease from leaking outside,circular grooves 313 and 314 are formed in the inner side and the outerside of the grease pool 312, respectively.

Further, the movable stage 320 has a stand plate 322, a stand cover 323and a sole plate 324.

The stand plate 322 is a plate member rotatable by sliding on the topsurface of the fixed base 310 while being in contact with that topsurface. The shape of the stand plate 322 is formed by: a slide section322 a; a downward slant 322 b; a circular flat section 322 c; an upwardslant 322 d; and another circular flat section 322 e (see FIG. 5 andFIG. 8). The slide section 322 a is in contact with the top surface ofthe fixed base 310. The downward slant 322 b is provided at the innerside of the slide section 322 a and slanted toward the inner side of thecircle formed by the fixed base 310, i.e. toward the center of the standplate 322. The circular flat section 322 c is provided at the inner sideof the slide section 322 a, and the height of the circular flat section322 c is lower than that of the fixed base 310. The upward slant 322 dis provided at the inner side of the flat section 322 c and slantedtoward the center of the stand plate 322. The circular flat section 322e is provided at the inner side of the upward slant 322 d, the height ofthe circular flat section 322 e is equal to that of the slide section322 a. In this way, the surface of the stand plate 322 is formed to bevertically uneven, improving the strength of the stand plate 322.Further, holes 322 f in which the screws 321 for fixing the pole 410 tobe inserted are formed in the stand plate 322 (see FIG. 8).

The stand cover 323 is a member that covers the top surface as well asthe most part of the lateral surface of the stand plate 322, and formsthe appearance of the swivel 30.

Further, the sole plate 324 is a plate member that covers the bottomsurface of the swivel 30. The sole plate 324 is fixed to the stand plate322 by screws 325. Also, the sole plate 324 has a central part 324 aformed to project downward, making the sole plate 324 stronger than asimple flat plate. Further, the sole plate 324 has holes 324 b formed atpositions corresponding to the screws 321 for fixing the pole 341 sothat the pole 341 can be attached or detached without removing the soleplate 324.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top surface of the circular fixedbase 310, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of the fixed base 310illustrated in FIG. 6.

The fixed base 310 has the grease pools 312 spaced in a circumferentialdirection. Holding the grease in the grease pools 312 improves thesliding property of the stand plate 322 of the movable stage 320disposed on the fixed base 310.

Also, the grooves 313 and 314 are formed on the top surface of the fixedbase 310, specifically, in the inner side and the outer side of thegrease pools 312, respectively. These grooves 313 and 314 are providedto prevent the grease overflowing the grease pools 312 from leakingoutside the fixed base 310.

FIG. 8 illustrates the fixed base 310 and the stand plate 322 disposedon the fixed base 310 as viewed from bottom, and FIG. 9 is an enlargedview of a part of FIG. 8. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the sole plate 324 andthe pole 410 are removed.

The sole plate 324 (refer to FIG. 4) is fixed to the stand plate 322with screws 325, which are inserted into screw holes formed in therespective centers of six bosses 326 standing on the bottom surface ofthe stand plate 322.

Here, the fixed base 310 has an inner end surface 315 that defines aninner annulus of the fixed base 310. The inner end surface 315 isdivided into two parts, an inner end surface 315 a with a long radiusand an inner end surface 315 b with a short radius, by two stoppers 316and 317 serving as boundaries. The radius of the inner end surface 315 bis shorter than the radius of the inner end surface 315 a by thedifference between the stoppers 316 and 317. Only a boss 326 a, one ofthe bosses 326 standing on the bottom surface of the stand plate 322, isin contact with the inner end surface 315 a with the large radius. Theremaining five bosses 326 b are formed at positions where the bosses 326b can touch the inner end surface 315 b with the short radius.

The rotation angle of the stand plate 322 is regulated by the boss 326 aand the two stoppers 316 and 317.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate the boss 326 a in the state of abutting thestopper 316. This is the state in which the stand plate 322 is at oneend of the rotation angle of the stand plate 322. In this state of theinner end surface 315 of the fixed base 310, as illustrated in FIG. 8,the positions of the stand plate 322 and the fixed base 310 areregulated by the boss 326 a and three of the five remaining bosses 326b.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the fixed base 310 and thestand plate 322 as viewed from bottom. FIG. 10 illustrates a state inwhich the stand plate 322 is turned from the state illustrated in FIG.8.

In FIG. 10, the stand plate 322 is turned from the state illustrated inFIG. 8, and the boss 326 a is at a position away from both of thestoppers 316 and 317. Like FIG. 8, the position of the inner end surface315 of the fixed base 310 is regulated by the boss 326 a and other threeof the remaining five bosses 326 b.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a part of the stand plate 322, which isin the state of being turned up to the other end opposite to the one endshown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

The boss 326 a abuts the stopper 317, not the stopper 316 illustrated inFIG. 8 and FIG. 9, thereby defining the other limit of the rotation ofthe stand plate 322.

In this way, the structure for regulating the rotation angle is employedin the swivel 30. In this structure, the angle of the orientation of thedisplay screen 21 illustrated in FIG. 1 is regulated to be within arange of about 160 degrees. This is a range sufficient to adjust theorientation of the display screen 21. And besides, limiting the range ofthe orientation of the display screen 21 in this way can prevent thefollowing problem. Although not shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, variouscords and cables are connected to the PC main unit 20 when the PC mainunit 20 is actually in use. If the PC main unit 20 is freely rotatableat any angle, the cords and cables are very likely to wind around the PCmain unit 20. Accordingly, the limited range of the rotation makes itpossible to prevent such undesirable winding of the cords and cables.

[Support Structure]

As illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, the pole 410 is disposed to standon the swivel 30, and the back surface of the PC main unit 20 isattached to the pole 410.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mounting metallic component 420provided on the back surface of the PC main unit 20.

The mounting metallic component 420 is fixed to the back surface of thePC main unit 20 to attach the PC main unit 20 to the pole 410 (refer toFIG. 2). The mounting metallic component 420 has a mounting surface 421for attaching the PC main unit 20 to the pole 410. The entire mountingmetallic component 420 other than the mounting surface 421 is coveredwith a protrusion 201 of the housing of PC main unit 20 and a resinframe 429, in view of design and safety.

On the mounting surface 421 of the mounting metallic component 420, apair of vertically aligned threaded holes 422 a and 422 b are formed ateach of the right side and the left side, i.e. four threaded holes intotal are formed. Further, an engaging hole 423 is formed at each of theright side and the left side of the mounting surface 421, and a hook 424is formed at an upper central part (illustrated at a lower part of themounting surface 421 in FIG. 12).

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mounting metallic component 420removed from the back surface of the PC main unit, as viewed from the PCmain unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, two fixing sections 425 for fixing themounting metallic component 420 to the PC main unit 20 by screws areprovided at the right and left sides of the mounting metallic component420. Each of the fixing sections 425 has two mounting holes 425 a. Themounting metallic component 420 is secured to the PC main unit 20 bythese mounting holes 425 a.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a frictional fastening section 426 isprovided at each of the right side and the left side of the mountingmetallic component 420. This is a structure that allows the displayscreen 21 of the PC main unit 20 to tilt up and down within some angularrange.

The force required to tilt the display screen 21 is adjusted by turninga nut 426 a provided at each of the frictional fastening sections 426.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a monitor mounting member 430 fixed to the pole410, as viewed from the PC main unit 20. As illustrated in FIG. 2, thepole 410 is formed to extend upward and makes a U-turn to extenddownward. The pole 410 is composed of two posts extending in parallel toeach other except for the upper part of the pole 410 where the two postsare joined. The monitor mounting member 430 is secured to thesevertically extending two parallel posts. The monitor mounting member 430has a resin board 440 illustrated in FIG. 14 and a metal plate 450disposed at the back of the resin board 440 where the metal plate 450 ishidden (cf. FIG. 15). The resin board 440 is fixed to the metal plate450 by six screws.

In the resin board 440, one set of vertically aligned through holes 442a, 442 b, 442 c and 442 d is formed at each of the left and right sides.These through holes 442 a, 442 b, 442 c and 442 d are formed at the samespacing as that between the vertically aligned threaded holes 422 a and422 b illustrated in FIG. 12. In a central part between the two columnsof the through holes 442 a, 442 b, 442 c and 442 d, hook through holes443 a, 443 b and 443 c are vertically aligned at regular intervals.Further, between the column of these hook through holes 443 a, 443 b and443 c and each of the two columns of the through holes 442 a, 442 b, 442c and 442 d, three projections 444 a, 444 b and 444 c are verticallyaligned. In the center of the projection 444 b, which is positioned inthe middle of the three projections 444 a, 444 b and 444 c, a hole (notshown) is formed to serve as a screw fastening section used forattachment to the metal plate 450 (cf. FIG. 15). Each of theseprojections 444 a, 444 b and 444 c has outer dimensions that allow themto be inserted into the engaging hole 423 illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the monitor mounting member 430 asviewed from the direction of the metal plate 450.

In the metal plate 450, one set of vertically aligned mounting holes 451a, 451 b, 451 c and 451 d is formed at each of the right and left sides.The mounting holes 451 a, 451 b, 451 c and 451 d are vertically alignedat the same spacing as that between the vertically aligned threadedholes 422 a and 422 b illustrated in FIG. 12. In a central part betweenthe two columns of the mounting holes 451 a, 451 b, 451 c and 451 d,hook locking holes 461 a, 461 b and 461 c are vertically aligned atregular intervals.

Here, the mounting holes 451 a, 451 b, 451 c and 451 d in each of thetwo columns formed at the right and left sides are formed at positionsrespectively aligned with the corresponding through holes 442 a, 442 b,442 c and 442 d illustrated in FIG. 14. The mounting holes 451 a, 451 b,451 c and 451 d are formed at the same spacings as those of the threadedholes 422 a and 422 b illustrated in FIG. 12 in both the vertical andlateral directions.

The vertically aligned hook locking holes 461 a, 461 b and 461 c formedon the metal plate 450 are also provided at positions that respectivelycorrespond to the positions of the vertically aligned hook through hole443 a, 443 b and 443 c formed on the resin board 440.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the hook 424 of the mounting metalliccomponent 420 illustrated in FIG. 12 is engaged in the hook locking hole461 a that is the uppermost one of the three hook locking hole 461 a,461 b and 461 c. In this state, the uppermost projection 444 a among thevertically aligned projections 444 a, 444 b and 444 c formed on theresin board 440 illustrated in FIG. 14 is fit in the engaging hole 423illustrated in FIG. 12. Further, the uppermost mounting hole 451 a amongthe four vertically aligned mounting holes 451 a, 451 b, 451 c and 451 dis positioned to match the upper threaded hole 422 a of the verticallyaligned threaded holes 422 a and 422 b illustrated in FIG. 12, and thesecond mounting hole 451 b is positioned to match the lower threadedhole 422 b. When the two mounting holes 451 a and 451 b and the twothreaded holes 422 a are 422 b are used in this state to secure the PCmain unit 20 (cf. FIG. 1) with screws, the PC main unit 20 can be fixedin the uppermost position.

FIG. 16 is a diagram similar to FIG. 15, but illustrates the state inwhich the hook 424 is engaged in the middle hook locking hole 461 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the hook 424 of the mounting metalliccomponent 420 illustrated in FIG. 12 is engaged in the hook locking hole461 b that is the second one of the three hook locking hole 461 a, 461 band 461 c. In this state, the second projection 444 b among thevertically aligned projections 444 a, 444 b and 444 c formed on theresin board 440 illustrated in FIG. 14 is fit in the engaging hole 423illustrated in FIG. 12. Further, the second uppermost mounting hole 451b among the four vertically aligned mounting holes 451 a, 451 b, 451 cand 451 d is positioned to match the upper threaded hole 422 a of thevertically aligned threaded holes 422 a and 422 b illustrated in FIG.12, and the third mounting hole 451 c is positioned to match the lowerthreaded hole 422 b. When the two mounting holes 451 b and 451 c and thetwo threaded holes 422 a are 422 b are used in this state to secure thePC main unit 20 (cf. FIG. 1) with screws, the PC main unit 20 can befixed in the position slightly lower than the position illustrated inFIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a diagram similar to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, but illustrates thestate in which the hook 424 is engaged in the lowermost hook lockinghole 461 c.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the hook 424 of the mounting metalliccomponent 420 illustrated in FIG. 12 is engaged in the hook locking hole461 c that is the lowermost one of the three hook locking hole 461 a,461 b and 461 c. In this state, the lowermost projection 444 c among thevertically aligned projections 444 a, 444 b and 444 c formed on theresin board 440 illustrated in FIG. 14 is fit in the engaging hole 423illustrated in FIG. 12. Further, the third mounting hole 451 c among thefour vertically aligned mounting holes 451 a, 451 b, 451 c and 451 d ispositioned to match the upper threaded hole 422 a of the verticallyaligned threaded holes 422 a and 422 b illustrated in FIG. 12, and thelowermost mounting hole 451 d is positioned to match the lower threadedhole 422 b. When the two mounting holes 451 b and 451 c and the twothreaded holes 422 a are 422 b are used in this state to secure the PCmain unit 20 (cf. FIG. 1) with screws, the PC main unit 20 can be fixedin the lowermost position.

Here, in the mounting metallic component 420 illustrated in FIG. 12, thetwo vertically aligned threaded holes 422 a are 422 b are formed, butthree or more vertically aligned threaded holes may be formed to realizea stronger fastening structure.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the four mounting holes 442 a, 442 b,442 c, 442 d are vertically aligned. However, the number of the mountingholes may be three as long as they can vertically adjust the height ofthe PC main unit 20 to either one of two stages. Further, the number ofthe mounting holes may be five or more so that the height of the PC mainunit 20 can be adjusted to any one of three or more stages. However, thenumber of the vertically aligned mounting holes is larger than thenumber of the vertically aligned threaded holes of the mounting metalliccomponent 420 illustrated in FIG. 12

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the number of the vertically alignedprojections 444 a, 444 b and 444 c is three, but it is not limited tothree as long as the number corresponds to the number of the stages towhich the height of the PC main unit 20 can be adjusted. This is alsotrue for the number of the hook locking holes 461 a 461 b and 461 cillustrated in FIG. 15.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the hook 424 is provided inthe mounting metallic component 420 illustrated in FIG. 12, and the hooklocking holes 426 a, 426 b and 426 c are formed in the monitor mountingmember 430. However, their structures may be reversed, i.e. the monitormounting member 430 may be provided with hooks while the mountingmetallic component 420 may be provided with hook locking holes.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the engaging hole 423 isformed in the mounting metallic component 420, and the projections 444a, 444 b and 444 c to fit in the engaging hole 423 are formed in themonitor mounting member 430. However, their structures may also bereversed. In other words, the monitor mounting member 430 may beprovided with engaging holes and the mounting metallic component 420 maybe provided with projections.

Note that FIG. 14 to FIG. 17 illustrates the states in which the cover41 made of resin is removed. After the adjustment of the height iscompleted and the PC main unit 20 is secured by screws, the cover 41illustrated in FIG. 2 is placed to cover the metal plate 450 and issecured to the periphery of the resin board 440. As a result, the statein which the supporter 40 is covered as illustrated in FIG. 2 isrealized.

[Icon Representation]

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the inside of a lower rightcorner of the front surface (where the display screen 21 is disposed) ofthe PC main unit 20 (see FIG. 1). FIG. 19 is a plan view of thestructure of a substrate 520 included in the exploded perspective viewillustrated in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a parttaken along an arrow Y-Y in FIG. 18.

Illustrated in the lowermost part of FIG. 18 is the shape of an innersurface of a front cover 210. The front cover 210 forms a part of ahousing of the PC main unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 and is shaped likea frame surrounding the display screen 21. In the part covered by thefront cover 210, a shield board 510, the substrate 520, a spacer 530,and an icon sheet 540 are stacked in this order with the shield board510 on the top, and fixed by inserting four screws 551 into holes formedin the respective centers of bosses 211 standing on the inner surface ofthe front cover 210.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, plural LEDs 521 are disposed on the substrate520, and electrodes 522 for a touch sensor are also formed so as tocorrespond to and surround some of the LEDs 521.

Further, holes 523 for fixing by the screws 551 (cf. FIG. 18) are formedon the substrate 520. Also, a circuit placement section 524 for thetouch sensor is formed (specific description of the circuit beingomitted), and a connector 525 for communications with the outside suchas receipt of electric power and transmission of signals is provided.

The spacer 530 is provided to keep a predetermined distance between thesubstrate 520 and the icon sheet 540. In addition, mounting holes 531for fixing by screws and holes 532 for passing light from the LEDs 521disposed on the substrate 520 are formed in the spacer 530.

The icon sheet 540 is opaque except for a light transmitting section(icon, not shown) which is formed on a light path for light from theLEDs 521 disposed on the substrate and whose shape defines the outlineof passing light. Also, holes 541 for fixing by screws are formed in theicon sheet 540.

The shield board 510 is provided to cover the substrate 520, therebypreventing the touch sensor disposed on the substrate 520 frommalfunctioning due to electromagnetic noise from the outside.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, the front cover 210 has a base 212 made oftransparent resin and a film 213 formed by applying a coating to theouter surface of the base 212. The film 213 is provided to hide theinside of the front cover 210 so that the inside can not be seen fromthe outside, and also serves to show light emitted from the LEDs 521disposed on the substrate 520 and passing through the icon sheet 540.Various icons appear on the front cover 210 only after the PC main unit20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is turned on, causing the LEDs 521 disposed onthe substrate 520 to emit light. Therefore, when the PC main unit 20 isturned off, a neat and simple appearance can be achieved, improving thedesign. On the other hand, when the PC main unit 20 is turned on therebycausing the LEDs to emit light, the user can readily recognize the factthat the PC main unit 20 is turned on.

As described above, each of the electrodes 522 for the touch sensor isdisposed to surround the corresponding LED 521 on the substrate 520.When a finger is placed to touch an icon that appears on the front cover21 because of light from the LED 521 disposed in the center of theelectrode 522, the touch sensor responds so that the PC main unit 20starts an operation according to the touch sensor. Here, the exampleillustrated in FIG. 18 through FIG. 20 does not have a moving sectionthereby achieving a relatively simple structure, while being able toserve in a manner similar to a push button, so that low profile and highresistance are realized.

As an exception however, the icon 22 representing the existence of thepower button is formed on the front cover 210 by silk printing asillustrated in FIG. 1. This is because the LEDs 521 start emitting lightonly after power-on, and it is necessary to indicate the location of thepower button before the LEDs 521 emit light, i.e. before power-on.Incidentally, the touch sensor for realizing the power button is in thestate in which power is supplied to minimum required parts so that thetouch sensor can respond even before power-on.

Note that the above-described PC main unit 20 is a PC mounted with anoperating circuit which is composed of a CPU and the like and disposedin a housing of the main unit of the PC holding a display screen.However, the disclosure of the present application may be applied to aPC having: a display unit holding a display screen; and a main unitprovided with an operating circuit which is composed of a CPU and thelike, in which the two units are separate elements and connected to eachother with a cable. Further, the disclosure of the present applicationmay also be applied to devices such as TV monitors other than PCs.

The electronic apparatus according to the embodiment is provided with alight emitting element, an icon board and a shielding film, so that anicon appears on the shielding film only when the light-emitting elementemits light. Therefore, the electronic apparatus is excellent in designwhile having the effect of indicating the operation status in a readilyrecognizable manner. This is because, for example, the icon does notappear before the electronic apparatus is powered on, but it appearswith light from the light-emitting element upon or after power-on.Further, the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment has nomoving member and thus is provided with a simple, slim and highlydurable switching structure.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principlesof the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor tofurthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitationto such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does theorganization of such examples in the specification relate to aillustrating of the superiority and inferiority of the invention.Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described indetail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions,and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a cover having anoptically-transparent base and a shielding film for making an insideinvisible; a substrate disposed inside and covered by the cover, thesubstrate being mounted with a light emitting element for emitting lighttoward the cover and a touch sensor disposed at a position surroundingthe light emitting element to detect a touch of an outer surface of thecover by a finger; and an icon board disposed at a position between thesubstrate and the cover and having a light transmitting section formedto define an outline of light emitted by the light emitting elementtoward the cover, wherein the shielding film shows light emitted by thelight emitting element and passing through the icon board.
 2. Theelectronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a bossformed on an inner surface of the cover at a position avoiding a partirradiated with light emitted by the light emitting element, the bossprojecting toward inside of the cover and having a screw hole, and thesubstrate and the icon board are fixed to the boss by a screw.
 3. Theelectronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a spacerbetween the substrate and the icon board to keep a predetermineddistance between the substrate and the icon board, the spacer passinglight emitted by the light emitting element and heading for the cover.4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising aspacer between the substrate and the icon board to keep a predetermineddistance between the substrate and the icon board, the spacer passinglight emitted by the light emitting element and heading for the cover.5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising ashield board disposed and spread on a back surface of the substrate,opposite to a front surface of the substrate facing the cover.
 6. Theelectronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a shieldboard disposed and spread on a back surface of the substrate, oppositeto a front surface of the substrate facing the cover.
 7. The electronicapparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a shield boarddisposed and spread on a back surface of the substrate, opposite to afront surface of the substrate facing the cover.
 8. The electronicapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is mounted with atouch sensor for instructing power-on of the electronic apparatus, andthe cover is provided with an icon formed on the outer surface of thecover at a position overlapping the touch sensor for instructingpower-on.
 9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theshielding film is formed by applying a coating to an outer surface ofthe base.
 10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic apparatus is provided with a display screen for displaying animage.